. >> reporter: just hours before joe biden and paul ryan faceoff at kentucky center college, david axelrod says biden is looking forward to the debate. >> there are really clear distinction between the president and mitt romney even if governor romney is trying to fuzzy up those distinctions. >> reporter: but republicans seem to be tempering expectations. >> i've known paul for a long, long time. he's always hit the ball out of the park. but let me tell you something -- this is his first time. joe biden has been doing this since the 1800s. >> ryan doesn't deny joe biden has political experience. >> i know how he will come and attack us. the problem he has is he has barack obama's record he has to run on. >> reporter: with the polls tightening into a virtual tie, the stakes in danville are high, especially after last week's presidential debate, when mitt romney was widely viewed over being victorious over president obama. joe biden has to avoid making a gaffe. the president said he has confidence in joe biden. >> i think joe just needs to be joe. congressman right june a smart -- is smart a